FROM OUR EXPERTS

I am concerned that you are regularly exposing your body to something to which you know you are allergic. The best treatment for allergies always begins with prevention, which takes the form of avoiding all of your known allergens to the best of your abilities. Instead, you are dyeing your hair frequently, knowing that you are allergic to the dye. One reason the Celestamine may no longer be as effective could be that your allergy intensity is increasing as a result of the repeated exposure.

Celestamine is a steroid. Steroids are very effective in treating allergies and asthma, when used judiciously. If your doctor is OK with you taking a steroid to prevent a reaction to a known allergen that you might better have avoided in the first place, then there will certainly be other steroids that could be tried.

Your best course of action in such a case is to discuss this with your doctor, who knows you and your allergy and treatment history best.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

I have the same problem with an ingredient in most hair dye products called PPD. I am a brunette and 52 years old and really dont want to go grey. I cant swear blindly that this will work for you as you could be allergic to somethig else in hair dye, but Loreal have an amazing product that they market so badly and is now in very few supermarkets and pharmacies. It is called Loving Care be careful as they have many products and all the others have this PPD and other things like peroxidea and amonia . They say it only lasts 6 washes which is actually nonsense as I can go for three weeks at least and I wash my hair everyday. It is dense colour for those 6 washes I suppose , what looks more natural is when it starts to wash out and you get the grey going slightly lighter givining the effects of high lights which actually looks great.

Make sure it is only sold in a single bottle as anything with two is trouble for us.

By carrying on with Celestamine you are going to make yourself allergic to a host of other things. I am very allergic right accross the board and this was caused by being given sulfa antibiotics 3 times by accident - it triggered so many allergies I cant possibly list them.

I am also allergic to (PPD) from hair color and once you start to have an allergic reaction you will always have one. I was trying to take allergy medicines before dying my very dark hair (I am not ready to go gray) but once it wore off I would start to itch and by the third day my head, forehead and eyelids were totally swollen. THe only remedy was a visit to the Emergency Room where I had a IV for three hours and then sent home with Predsinone (steriod) and a very strong antihistamine.

It is always the PPD that causes this problem even if you have been coloring your hair for years as have I been. I have tried Clairol Loving Care (No PPD) but it barely covers the gray and doesn't last longer than three days. I just saw from a post on here that L'Oreal has a product called Loving Care as well (I am hoping the person that posted this actually is correct about it being L'OReal a not Clairol...because as I had said Clairol does not work...) I shall look for L'Oreal in the stores. Thanks for the tip. Also, the person that posted that also so said make sure that you buy color with a sinlge bottle because anything that comes in two (mixer and developer) always, always contain PPD...even if the box states it "ALL Natural" or No ammonia that does not mean it is safe....Again...please make sure it is a single bottle hair dye!!! I am being very stern about this because it can be FATAL...not kidding......Thanks for listening..

I am so sorry I put L'oreal instead of Clairol BUT I have found that unless I apply it to absolutly clean hair using a clarifying shampoo ( Pantene make one) something that leaves no residue on the shaft. Dry it properly and leave it on for as long as possible I leave it on for hours and hours, it also has little to no result. Doing it this way really works for me. If you try the Henna route which I havnt as I am brunette not black apparently some of the dark colours there also have PPD and it is supposed to be natural! I have even looked at dyes in up market health shops that have all the bad ingredients.

I have never had to resort to an IV, but with all the same symtoms you describe I was given cortisone stiroids no antihisamines help not even Celestamine the cortisone based one.

I really do empathise with you as I equally do not want to go gray - please just try the Loving Care once more properly. Good luck

If you have a PPD allergy avoid ALL henna products at all costs. Our stylist at work found out today that she has a PPD allergy, which means that she will probably have to change career. That aside I read the letter from her consultant who ran her allery tests and it stressed very forcibly that henna contains the highest concentration of PPD especially for her to avoid Henna Tattoos and to spread the word to anyone considering having one.

As far as Loving Care is concerned it is a cuticle stain (similar principle to using wood stain on raw wood). If you have hair of any length and apply the colour from root to tip every time leaving it on for the standard developing time or longer the colour will build up over time causing the ends to get progressively darker. i.e.lighter roots darkening as you move down the hair shaft, a very uneven look. As a third generation hairdresser this product is as old as the hills and we have seen this problem many times. Due to the staining nature it is nigh on impossible to remove the colour from the darker areas.

Blondes can still have bleach (lower volume peroxde is less damaging to the hair & there are ammonia free options). For darker shades we have had alot of success with cap hi-lights. We do two sets (apply one set, shampoo off on the cap,then dry the hair and apply second set). This helps to cover grey and gives a nice multi-dimensional look. The cap acts as a barrier between the client and the colouring product.

We would NEVER apply PPD containing products directly to the skin of anyone who has shown symptoms of a PPD allergy and skin test all new clients and re-test existing ones if we change the product that we will be using on them.

I have written on here before and recommended Clairol Loving care which we cannot buy in this country anymore. I have finally found another option to importing it called Vegetal Color - made in Italy but there are two toll free numbers for distributers in Canada 1 888 856 8888 , USA 1877 699 4400b. E-mail : herb2@herb.it. I am in south Africa and the number here is 0800 437228 website here www.herbatint.co.za E- mail info@naturescolours.com. It works on much the same principle as Loving Care, I have only tried it once and I am sure it is better. Much easier to apply, again only a single bottle and you must use a clarifying shampoo first, but you dont have to dry your hair properly before applying. There are also many more colours available. I have always left these dies on for as long as I can, sometimes I put it in and leave it the whole day , if I am not going out and I think this helps, but I could be wrong. I am highly allergic as I have said and it was great , however you cant be too careful and you should always patch test first.

Clairol has a Beautiful collection (becareful there is 2 beautiful collections, 1 says grey coverage this does have PPD in it)that is only sold in salon type stores such as sally. It is the same as the loving care that they discontinued. I used the Loving care, I am also allergic to PPD, and it covered my grey, I would re-dye my hair every 3 weeks or so with it. As always do a patch test first.

Hi Donna
Thank you so much for that information. I will have a look for it - anything that is available locally and I dont have to import is a bonus but that one I put down on here the other day had no reaction at all! I just have to buy a few different colours and mix them myself so that the colour doesnt look too dreadful as it washes out! Was it Herbatint I dont have the info near the computer.
If only more people like you would pass on information like you have as I think there are an enormous amount of people suffering like we do.
One thing I do know is that the grey is very difficult to cover even with the normal salon products - what are we going to do when we are trying to cover absolutly grey hair????? I wonder if we can get desesititised some how without causing any damage to our health?
Anyway Thank you again.
Kind regards
Fiona
READ MORE

I just happen to stumble upon this while looking for a soultion to my bad reaction of hair dye, at this very moment I'm dealing with burning, swelling itching and blisters in my head and face and round my ears..taking Prednisone..not really helping..my hair has fallen out to the point of wearing a wig..the color was permanent so I'm washing my hair everyday trying to help it out. I also agree..any thing in two bottles is big trouble. Was trying to color just the grey..when this is over I'll never do it again.

I AM SORRY YO ARE HAVING SUCH A TERRIBLE TIME AND I HAVE BEEN THERE - BUT MY HAIR DIDNT FALL OUT. i HAD TO GO ON A VERY STRONG COURSE OF CORTISONE NOT JUST AN ANTIHESTAMINE WITH CORTISONE - PURE CORTISONE AND EVEN THEN IT TOOK ABOUT 10 DAYS TO STOP. MY REACTION WAS AS YOURS WITH SUPURATING HEAD AND EARS AND ANYWHERE MY HAIR TOUCHED MY FACE. WASHING WILL HELP TO A POINT , BUT THE CHEMICALS HAVE GOT INTO YOUR SYSTEM, WHICHIS WHY YOU NEED THE CORTISONE.

I FOUND ANOTHER 'STAIN' THAT WORKS - I HAVE JUST TRIED TO FIND THE BOX AND CANT BUT i DID POST IT ON HERE A WHILE BACK WITH ALL THE CONTACT NUMBERS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA I THINK ITS CALLED HERBATINT AND IS MADE IN ITALY.

After they stopped making loving care--I started buying it off ebay. 150.00 for 12 bottles? do not want to go gray. but can afford to keep buying it from ebay. I did try the Clairol beautiful collection --was NOT allergic (am highly allergic to PPD)-the color was a little on the red side -so I tried the other Beautiful collection for gray hair--------well- that was thursday afternoon--by Saturday I had knots behind my ears, lymph nodes all swollen behind ears, neck swollen, burning & itching scalp, can harldy brush hair---------scalp swollen & tender. I had NO idea the collection for gray hair had PPD in it--------now I now. Will have to get shot tomorrow--it's Tuesday night & it seems to be getting worse? Before this I had not had ANY PPD since 2003 when I had a horrible reation that landed me in the hospital.

I saw this site while looking for a cure for an allergic reaction to a hair dye. I used clairol root touch-up which had ppd as one of the ingredients. I now have an itchy scalp, redness in my face and arms. I went to see a dermatologists today but he said he needed to run some lab work before he can prescribe anything. How long do this reactions last? I am afraid to lose my hair because of the itchiness in my scalp. Are there natural remedies that you can suggest to relieve the itchiness? I am taking benadryl but it makes me sleepy. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Dont worry you are not going to lose your hair, however you can never use another proper hair dye again ( I have had this allergy and searched and researched it for at least 10 years)

Dont waste any more money on dermatoligists and expensive tests you are PPD allergic and sadly there is only one cure. Go to your Gp and ask for straight cortisone pills - there might be an injection I dont know.) Dont let them fob you off with Celestamine or a cortisone based anti histamine - it does not work on this.

The itching and supurating scalp will take at least a week to 10 days to go away. I am sure that you also have supuration behind your ears? By what you have written it looks as if you used a minimal amount, not your entire head which I am sure will make it go sooner. If you placed this product on any part of your hair that touches your face, make sure you clip it so that it doesnt touch your face. It is still in the hair folicle and you just have to try and keep that dyed section away from your face for a week or so.

This is obviously your first reaction so it should not be that bad - the next time you do it it will be so much worse and so it goes on. There are many hair product houses advocating allergy free dyes - I have patch tested so many and I get a reaction from all of them. PPD is also found in the stuff they use for tatoos and henna which is supposed to be so natural is not, if it has any black in it that is also PPD. No I dont have a tatoo !

I am 30% grey and I have to use a Clairol product called Loving Care. On the box it says it last 6 washes - not true. If you use a clarifying shampoo so your hair is absolutly free of any conditioning coatings and leave it on for as long as you can- I put it on on a day I am at home and seeing no one and just leave it there for hours and hours and I find that helps its staying power. I aslo mix 3 different colours to get to a colour that suits me - we are limited in our choices !!! As it washes out you actually get a nice look as the grey does not take up as much of this tint it gives you the look of low lights and looks very natural.

Just make sure when you buy your dye it is only one bottle no mixing, if there are two there is sure to be PPD in it Having had a terrible time for all these years, I promise you are getting reaping the rewards and getting the advice of all my ill spent money on Doctors, specialists etc....

I can see you are someone that prefers to go the natural route - take my word for it , in this case you have to hit it on the head with straight cortisone.

I do hope this helps you and although it is a real nuisance not to be able to just pop into a salon - at the end of the day you will have thicker healthier hair as you are not using chemicals.

I am so sorry you have the same problem as I do where we have to import it. I am afriad I am in South Africa and my sister buys it in bulk for me from a big pharmacy/chemist chain in the UK. called Superdrug. I have just looked them up on the Net and they have 900 outlets , so hope fully you have someone that can buy it for you and send it.

It is so low end price wise not even Boots stock it, but I think some of the Supermarkets there like Weightrose or Safeways might also have it - get hold of Superdrug and see if they will mail it to you?

I too got an allergy around my eye after using clairol root touch up, its even stronger than your standard 2 bottled dyes. Getting rid of this rash is really bad, everytime i wash my hair it flares up again. My scalp will itch, the rash around my eye becomes redder, the itching comes back, if i dont wash my hair for a few days and keep my fringe tied back away from my forehead the rash starts to get better but as soon as i shampoo again (with baby shampoo) just the fact that your hair is wet seems to start the allergy again, when I shower i put my head well back so not to get anything on my face but it still flares up, I think the only thing that would work is to shave your head like a monk or dont wash your hair.

Hi Fiona. Thanks for all the posts. I to have recently found out I have ppd allergy. My story sounds like everyone else. If I can't purchase Clairol product any suggestions? I have shoulder bob , brown with grey roots coming strong. I have no problem going grey but don't want to cut hair and the growing out process is ugly. Any suggestions are appreciated.
READ MORE

Hi, I just you about any spray or cream to prevent hair allergy. I am male 40, and I used to dye my beard in 15 days but last time when I dye my beard I got allergy. My doctor said to use hair dye, I am very much sad as I do not want white beard. I read your message in which you said that if we use loving care spary of loreal, we could dye our hair, Please tell me in detail of any new product to use it before dye my beard as in result to safe myself from skin allergy.

Everyone out here, please take heed to this...my father-in-law has been diganosed with a relatively rare form of blood cancer (Angio Immuno Blastic T-Cell Lymphoma). Though he is 70, we were all surprised as he used to follow an extremely healthy lifestyle. Has never taken antibiotics, non-smoker, vary rarely consumed alcohol, very disciplined with his food habits mostly eating organic and home-grown food. He also used to sleep religiously at 10 PM or slighty earlier and has always woken up by 5 doing his favourite morning chores. But we could find one glaring lapse in his healthy lifestyle. he used to apply hair dye for at least past 2 decades (if not more). In fact, he also used to get allergy to hair dye which used to result in itching. As was reported by many in this forum, he has also resorted to some tablets and ointments to suppress this reaction while applying the hair dye. We have accidentally come across so many research findings alluding to a possible linkage between hair dye and lymphoma. Going by my FIL's life history and the current dignosis of this cancer, I am very much convinced that the hair dye was the beginning of his end...I am tempted to think that when the body sends out a message of discomfort at something, we need to take a serious note of it as it could sign of the body crying out for survival and we keep on ignoring it to our own peril. My FIL is at 3rd stage and his type of Lymphoma is incurable. If it wasnt for this lapse, i'm sure he would have been rewarded with a very lengthy and healthy life...

I was VERY allergic to hair dye but not ready to go gray. I tried everything but have found the answer! I put 3 tablespoons of Splenda in the mix and the color comes out exactly the same but I have zero reaction to the dye!! I was told you can use from 1 to 6 tablespoons (depending on how allergic you are) without it compromising the result. I would get weeping sores and with 3 tablespoons, I have had no sores or itching! I've doon it three times now with the same wonderful result. Just thought I'd share.

I too am allergic to ppd and have found a few methods around the problem as we all know ladies we do not want to give up dye to the point of suffering!

1. I am in no way recomending this as it is advised against but i did check with my midwife who said it shouldnt be a problem. Pregnancy will sometimes stop you being allergic. Fact i have actually never had a reaction whildt pregnant not sure why probably because there is so many adjustments in the body. However as stated was advised by medicial prof that any risk is minute and it is persinal choice. But patch test first!!!!

2. Very very carefully cover scalp, ears, neck etc in vaseline before dying.

3. Place highlighter cap over head and make sure you pull everything through. Pain in the ass but will protect the scalp.

4. As above but use cling film or carrier bag etc.

5. Make mulltiple parting in hair, buy some of those mini elastic hair bands the tiny ones and do roughly cm to inch depending in how fussy you are with roots.

6. Always always always have a supply of antihistamines and hyrdro cortinsone cream before attempting any dye job. Take tabs before you start and keep up a steady supply and cream every bit after

7. Even when youve rinsed like mad and the water is clear rinse some more. Apply the conditioner stuff and rinse again. I then wash and rinse a minimum of twice to ensure nothing is left to sit ob skin. Condition for a while as long as you want really and then rinse again. Leave to dry on its own dint use heat for at least a day or two

Hope these help!

The best dye ti use in any allergy case is the one that works the fastest. Less time to develop equals less time to cause harm.

Please take all of the above with some common sense. I am in no way trying to encourage people to do any of them or endanger themselves as these reactions can be massively dangerous and servere. They are merely some ways i have found that allow me to continue to use dye dispite having a ppd reaction and ibfully understand how upseting this can be for people i do not ask to be judged or have nasty comments i just wanted to share a few tricks i have found for ttying to manage a problem. The more of them you use the safer you are from any reaction.

I too am allergic to ppd and have found a few methods around the problem as we all know ladies we do not want to give up dye to the point of suffering!

1. I am in no way recomending this as it is advised against but i did check with my midwife who said it shouldnt be a problem. Pregnancy will sometimes stop you being allergic. Fact i have actually never had a reaction whildt pregnant not sure why probably because there is so many adjustments in the body. However as stated was advised by medicial prof that any risk is minute and it is persinal choice. But patch test first!!!!

2. Very very carefully cover scalp, ears, neck etc in vaseline before dying.

3. Place highlighter cap over head and make sure you pull everything through. Pain in the ass but will protect the scalp.

4. As above but use cling film or carrier bag etc.

5. Make mulltiple parting in hair, buy some of those mini elastic hair bands the tiny ones and do roughly cm to inch depending in how fussy you are with roots.

6. Always always always have a supply of antihistamines and hyrdro cortinsone cream before attempting any dye job. Take tabs before you start and keep up a steady supply and cream every bit after

7. Even when youve rinsed like mad and the water is clear rinse some more. Apply the conditioner stuff and rinse again. I then wash and rinse a minimum of twice to ensure nothing is left to sit ob skin. Condition for a while as long as you want really and then rinse again. Leave to dry on its own dint use heat for at least a day or two

Hope these help!

The best dye ti use in any allergy case is the one that works the fastest. Less time to develop equals less time to cause harm.

Please take all of the above with some common sense. I am in no way trying to encourage people to do any of them or endanger themselves as these reactions can be massively dangerous and servere. They are merely some ways i have found that allow me to continue to use dye dispite having a ppd reaction and ibfully understand how upseting this can be for people i do not ask to be judged or have nasty comments i just wanted to share a few tricks i have found for ttying to manage a problem. The more of them you use the safer you are from any reaction.

I am so sorry to hear about your allergic reaction to hair dye! Sadly, this type of reaction happens to a lot of people and the cause most of the time is PPD, which is a harmful chemical in most hair dyes. I do not have a medication that could help you unfortunately, but I have something else. I would love to inform you guys on a Google Plus community that we have started called "The Care for Your Hair after Loving Care" which is a Clairol Loving Care Replacement guide! I can see that you and so many other women and men need a hair color that covers grays, while still being a healthy hair color that will not cause allergic reactions. Please do not hesitate to check out our Google Plus community because I can gaurantee it will be a helpful source! We not only have a replacement guide, but we also have hair tips, tutorials, PPD and allergy information and a place where you can share your own experiences with healthy hair color! Enjoy!

If you are dying your hair weekly, you should try this hypoallergenic color. Cosamo is the brand and line is called "Love Your Color". Similar to Clairols Loving Care with stronger results and less chemicals.

I developed PPD allergy when I was 22 years old after 4 years of hair dyeing on black. (I am male ginger and I don't like my natural hair colour).Once you develop allergy, nothing would help. My scalp became itchy more and more and I started loosing hair. No shampooning or creams would help. One should not expect to ever use chemical dye ever again ever if only mild reaction was developed.I was researching and after a year I found another solution, indigo - indigofera tinctoria - natural hair dye.

Due to my natural hair on which indigo did't adhere well I had to dye my hair every 10 days. I used pure indigofera tinctoria with destilled water heated to 60 degrees and Hello,

I developed PPD allergy when I was 22 years old after 4 years of hair dyeing on black. (I am male ginger and I don't like my natural hair colour).Once you develop allergy, nothing would help. My scalp became itchy more and more and I started loosing hair. I was researching and after a year I found another

solution, indigo - indigofera tinctoria.

Due to my natural hair on which indigo did't adhere well I had to dye my hair every 10 days. I used pure indigofera tinctoria with destilled water heated to 60

degrees and with non-iodic salt on extra-clean hair.

After a year, suddenly the same thing happened as it happened when I was using chemical dye. My scalp became itchy more and more from week to week until my hair

started to fall out again. I was very depressed. Indigo also can not be removed entirely from hair. Finely I had to shave myself to avoid any further itching and

redness of my scalp. Once you develop allergy on indigo it is there. I tried to dye just a patch of my hair after a year and allergy was still there.

However, I hated my ginger hairs and started to explore again. Tried also dyeing with walnut shells with the same allergy again. I didn't dye my hair for 2 years and

even with no dying on my hair, slight allergy was developed every few months. I had very sensitive scalp and had to forget on any dyeing.

Nobody know how frustrating all that was. Not only I lost part of my hair during allergy reaction (for which I did'nt know they will grow back), I also didn't feel

well with my ginger colour of hair.

But I didn't gave up. after two years I found that allergy can be treated with allergen injections but was very expensive in Slovenia.

It sounds strange what I did (I was very desperate), but it helped.I red that if you raise your alergen level in your blood, the body would stops reaction!!!

Indigofera tinctoria is a natural plant used also for healing in traditional medicine, nontoxic to human body.I again partly dyed my hair (on the back, so I was able to cut them at allergy reaction)

I sniffed indigofera tinctoria powder through my nose, two times a day for a month. The taste was not very pleasant but alergen absorbes trough mucous membrane

(doesnt come to lungs).

After first sniff, itching on the back stopped. But developed again. I sniffed a small amount of pure indigofera tinctoria powder when itching started. After I month

I overcame an allergy and was able to dye all of my hair with no itching or hair falling out.

I was very happy with my experiment, but I didn't wan't to share with anyone because one might think I am giving hazardous advices.I know well how frustrating itchy scalp and allergy can be and it was nothing compared to slight risk of indigofera toxicity (I did'n found any bad effect).

I don't encourage anyone to do the same as I did. One should get allergen injections under medical supervise if develope allergy on all hair dies but still doesn't

want to give up hair dyeing.

After your body stops reaction on allergen, it is permanent solution. Now I have been using indigo on my hair for 5 years without any reaction. My hair grew back.

Perhaps the self treatment technique would work also for real henna or lawsonia inermis allergy.I have not tried and I have no idea about lawsonia inermis toxity.

I used this technique because I developed mild allergy on indigo which only showed on my scalp as irritation, itching, hair break.If you have serious allergy on indigo attacking your eyes, respiratory... STAY AWAY FROM ALLERGEN, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS AND FATAL!!!

I am also very senstive to hair dye i also has been tried no. of dyes and treatment worldwide but i am using a herbal hair treatment ,actually it is dye it is really a Wonderfull hair dye you will get black or dark brown using it.Their is no any Chemical , i can get you phone no. from where you can Order . ( Actually it is from India).But i am sure people Allergic to hair dye deffinately use this and since i am using it i never take any antiallergic tab .or i any irration, swelling i am using it since last 5-6 years.

You should knowAnswers to your question are meant to provide general health information but should not replace medical advice you receive from a doctor. No answers should be viewed as a diagnosis or recommended treatment for a condition. Content posted by community members does not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media, which also reserves the right to remove material deemed inappropriate.